Wow! I could not put this book down! This was a first by this author and loved it.. heartbreaking at times! Filled with hope! Loved it!

I, the same as other reviewers could not put “The Berlin Girl” down it was just an overall amazing, page turner. Once in awhile a book comes along that stays with you for a long time and this is one of those books. I loved it so much that I have put it forward as a nomination for our book club read. Thanks for the ARC.

When I first received an email about The Berlin Girl, from Avon books, I was instantly excited, and knew I had to read it. If you read my blog regularly, you will know that I love historical fiction, especially those set around either of the World Wars. Usually, books set during those times are set in the years during the war, so the fact that The Berlin Girl is set in the build up to WWII, rather than during it, made this book so much more appealing.

With her brilliant writing, Mandy Robotham made it very easy to visualise what it was like in Berlin during that time. There was a perfect mix of fact and fiction to the story, and the inclusion of real life characters, even in the fictional parts, was done particularly well, and truly made this story feel all the more real.

There is a very interesting mix of characters, who I thoroughly enjoyed. Georgie is a great protagonist, and I loved her quick wit, her passion, her bravery and strength, and her constant need to do the right thing, even if it meant putting herself in danger. I was a little unsure on Max to begin with, but his character definitely grew on me as the story continued, and I loved watching his partnership with Georgie grow. The American journalists are a great bunch, and bring some humour to even the darkest of times.

I personally think that the author did a fantastic job of portraying the Nazi officers. She really captured their pure evil, but she also captured their ability to charm, and draw people in. They were clever, they knew how to work people, and to hide what they were really up to, until it wasn’t necessary for them to put on the front any longer. It really is terrifying that they managed to manipulate so many people, and get away with such atrocities for as long as they did.

A lot of the things that the journalists witness are so awful, and completely inhumane. Things that nobody should ever have to experience. What made it worse is the knowledge that these sorts of things really did happen, they were real, and we all know just how horrifying it went on to become.

The Holocaust is one of the most unimaginably horrific events in human history, and I don’t think we will ever truly comprehend what it was like to live through, but it is so important to educate ourselves and others on the subject, in the hope that it will never happen again.

The Berlin Girl is such a powerful, and captivating story, and it had me in tears multiple times (some of which were happy tears). This is one of my favourite historical fiction books that I have ever read, and if it is a genre you enjoy, I would highly recommend giving it a read.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for my copy of the book, in exchange for an honest review.

I give The Berlin Girl a 5 star rating!

This is my first book by Mandy Robotham and I loved it! Historical fiction set during WWII is very popular, and so finding a storyline or characters that haven’t been played out is hard, but Ms. Robotham seems to have done so with her heroine Georgie Young, a British newspaper reporter stationed in Berlin in the days leading up the WWII. Although Georgie is relatively young and new to the paper, she is pretty much thrown in with the wolves in Berlin and quickly learns how to navigate the press conferences, the hidden meanings of what the Nazi’s are really saying, and the social do’s and don’ts of pre-war Berlin.

While the story followed the anti-Nazi angle you’d expect, and even Georgie attempting to help her Jewish friends out, the fact that this story has a happy ending was nice. I have to say that as much as I love this genre and this era in particular, there are times that I need a break because there is just so much sadness and misery.

There is plenty of suspense and twists, there are still evil forces to boo at, and even some romance. I’ve already put her other books on my TBR list!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I have read all of Mandy Robothams book. She is one of my favourite authors. I really enjoy WWII novels and she writes them so well. This one did not disappoint and I got through it quickly. Brilliant story and characters that transport you to that time. Brilliant as always from Many Robothams. I can’t wait for her next!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to preview and review this book.

Readers will appreciate this latest from Robotham for the way she's able to slowly up the tension felt in Berlin in the lead up to WWII. Georgie, an ambitious young reporter, is sent to Berlin, along with Max (who was, based on her name, expecting a male colleague). She's been there before so she feels good about it until the rising tide of National Socialism starts to creep into her life and that of her friends and employees. She finds herself trying to help others, not always successfully, and engaged in a relationship of sorts with a German. Georgie walks a tightrope between the Nazis, all the while remaining in contact with Sam in the British Embassy. Then Max is arrested. Can she get him released? No spoilers. This has good characters and a big heart so if it seems a bit rushed, go with it. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans of historical fiction.

Yes, I know … another WWII book. What can I say? I’m a fan. Besides, The Berlin Girl by Mandy Robotham is a gem of a story: super original, equally terrifying and exciting, and definitely one to play with your emotions.

The story begins in 1938 as Georgie Young, an up-and-coming reporter is assigned to work in Berlin. Having covered the Olympic Games of 1936, she’s excited to return to Berlin. Joined on the journey by another young reporter, Max Spender, she is quick to react at his assumption that “George Young” would be a man, and she assures him she has both the journalistic and language skills to do the job. Her ability to speak German soon puts Max in his place. Way to go, Georgie!

This original start to the story drew me in, and despite its relatively slow pace, it acted as the perfect precursor to a thrilling and exhilarating journey through the pre-war days and the subsequent declaration of war with Germany.

Georgie is determined to do things her way, even hiring a driver she knows from her prior visit at a time when Jews like Ruben are being met with one restriction after another. It is her involvement with him and his family that ultimately saves their lives, bringing food to the table early on and later by their escape. She is not alone in helping out families like Ruben’s; many of the reporters from other countries are just as active, though some of the more vocal are soon deported from Germany.

When it becomes apparent that a German officer shows an interest in Georgie because of her Englishness, she is quick to spot the opportunity to use him for information to help her friends. At this point, it’s not only Ruben who is in danger, but Georgie too. It’s a tense moment when they go to Sachsenhausen concentration camp to retrieve letters from those imprisoned there. The pages flew by as I hoped for a good result.

Kudos to the author for including the character of Elias, Ruben’s brother-in-law – not just a Jew, but a disabled one, a person for whom the Nazi regime and all its abominations was doubly prejudiced.

Of course, knowing of the atrocities carried out, not every plan has a happy outcome, and when Georgie is called back to England, she feels her Berlin years are over. But, luckily they aren’t, and she returns in a more senior role, ready and raring to go as tensions accelerate in the city. Daily briefings with senior Nazi officials only intensify her need to help those being arrested and sent away to certain death. Only now, she has Max on her side too. And their activities grow ever more daring until they have no option but to flee themselves.

This book has a wonderful mix of drama and tension, of hope and a need to defeat the oppressors. Georgie is a strong woman in a city that changes beyond her imagination; the act of reporting becomes harder as restrictions come into play and the journalists have to find innovative ways of passing on the news. While newspapers abroad are cautious about reporting all of the news in its gory and horrific details, Georgie cleverly sends in her “Postcards” from a Berlin correspondent with an anonymous, yet birds-eye view of what is really happening.

The post-war articles at the end of the story, chronicling Georgie’s career and personal life are a lovely touch and only makes me admire her more.

I really enjoyed The Berlin Girl and highly recommend it to fans of WWII historical novels. It will be available to order as an e-book October 29th, 2020.

Many thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher Avon Books UK for allowing me to read an advance copy of the book #TheBerlinGirl by #MandyRobotham. The views expressed in this review are mine and mine alone.

The Berlin Girl by Mandy Robotham is historical fiction set in Berlin in 1938. If you like to feel you are part of history while reading, Ms. Robotham‘s latest book will transport you to 1930‘s Germany. I could see the beauty and ugliness, feel the fear of the people and the thrill of those in prominent Nazi positions. It is a bold book of mysteries, thrills, politics, horror and a portrayal of developing evil. The Berlin Girl is a must read for readers of World War II History.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars

Another cracking page turner from Mandy Robotham! Georgie is a journalist in Berlin in 1938, just prior to WW2. She and her friends see what is happening with the Jews, and with the situation with the Nazis, and the fact that war is imminent. The papers back home don't want to believe it or print it, unless it is toned down. Plus she wants to help her Jewish friends who are caught up in all this. Against a backdrop of extravagant parties, a whirlwind of social excesses and everyone having a great time, there is the dark and scary side getting closer. Loved it, couldn't put it down

Berlin, 1938: Georgie Young arrives in Berlin with fellow British journalist Max Spender and she’s not sure what to make of him? She’s been to Germany before, two years ago for the Olympic Games, she notices how much Berlin has changed, the oppressive atmosphere and tension in the beautiful city. The Third Reich’s propaganda was everywhere; Nazi flags are flying, pictures of Hitler and the intimidating sound of Jackboots marching around the city.
Rubin, Sara, Leon and Ester Amsel are German citizens; they live in Berlin and are Jewish. Georgie employees Rubin as her driver, he's very grateful for the job and he’s hopeful that she might also be able to help his family? Suddenly the situation in Berlin escalates and Georgie witnesses firsthand the night of the broken glass, the destruction of Jewish businesses, property, synagogues and people being badly hurt.
She and her fellow press pack are working from hotel Adlon, when one of their own a fellow journalist Paul Adamson goes missing; he’s been following a story and was he onto something sinister? Georgie begins to uncover the unspeakable truth about Hitler’s Germany; anyone classed as undesirable was taken away and placed in a facility or they disappeared. It’s also pretty obvious Germany was involved in heavy industry, needed to make and stockpile weapons, tanks and it’s a clear breach of the worldwide conventions that were put in place after Germany was defeated in the First World War.
The Berlin Girl is a story about life in Germany leading up to WW II, how evil Hitler and the Nazi party were, the horrible plans and ideals they began to enforce. Georgie Young the main character and heroine of the story hated the terrible injustice towards Jewish people, she had a strong conscious and she wanted to make a difference despite Germany being on the brink of starting another war.
I have read The German Midwife and The Secret Messenger by Mandy Robotham and I enjoyed them both. But oh my goodness Mandy has really gone to another level with The Berlin Girl; I absolutely devoured it, one of the best books I have read this year and five stars from me.

Just before WW2 begins, 2 London journalists are assigned to Berlin. Georgina and Max work for different news organizations. They are there to report on Hitler's Germany. But, there is so much that they see and cannot report without being thrown out of the country. They try to help...

The Berlin Girl is about a young woman who goes to Berlin right before the start of the Second World War as a reporter to report on what is going on in Nazi Germany. She sees a ton of different things and witnesses Nazi atrocities first hand, and has a wild experience. She witnesses the harsh living conditions, the anti-Semitism, and the corruption and violence of the Nazis.
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I really liked Georgie as a main character. She was witty and spunky and wanted to be taken seriously as a female journalist. Our other main character, Max, was also interesting in the sense that he did not take Georgie seriously at first, but then she proves him wrong and the two form an unlikely attachment.
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We also get to see the level of appeasement practiced by the other world powers towards Germany at the time before the war, and how other countries did not want to get involved in what was going on.
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While the ending was a bit abrupt, I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the characters and recommend this book for historical fiction lovers.

Georgia is a reporter, attempting to make a name for herself in a male dominated field. Her byline and nickname have allowed her a measure of anonymity, which parlays itself to an assignment in Berlin, in the early days of WW2. While in Berlin, she and her colleagues begin to realize what is truly going on in Germany, but are in a position unable to help. When it is her own friends at stake, Georgie needs to risk everything to help them survive.

I love historical fiction and books set in the WW2 era, but this one really does a great job showing the lead up to the typical topics. Taking place in the late 1930s, when foreign reporters were still being courted by the Nazis to hide the atrocities being planned, Georgie and her friends have an inside look at the regime. Georgie's surprise relationship with a Nazi soldier adds more layers to the character, how can the man she enjoys spending time with also be capable of murder and more.

4 stars, maybe 5, especially if you enjoy this era for historical reads.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the publisher Avon Books UK and author Mandy Robotham for an advance copy of this book.

WWII historical fiction is one of my favourite genres and this one didn't disappoint!

The Berlin Girl follows English Rookie Journalist Georgie (aka George) Young from the time she and fellow journalist from a different paper arrive in Berlin in 1938 until war is finally declared.

I loved reading a book from the perspective of an outsider looking in and seeing the country and the people transform before their eyes. The complacency of the rest of the world when the foreign press was desperately trying to get across what was happening was anything but friendly and peaceful.

I enjoyed how the story unfolded slowly and kept me wondering where it was going. I also enjoyed the close relationships that Georgie made with the other foreign journalists and locals. They felt more like her own family than her own parents.

The ending was uniquely written in the form of newspaper articles to capture the important moments in Georgie’s life after leaving Berlin. Brilliant, succinct and to the point!!

I think the way this book was written would make a great movie. Highly recommend this book.

I throughly enjoyed reading this book, thank you net gallery for the chance to preview it. It’s certainly a well written novel that will have your heart aching in all the right places. I adored reading about Georgie and Max, it really is a fascinating time in history. And even though this is just fictional, the characters are believable and the narrative engages well with the audience.

With thanks to NetGalley and AvonBooks UK for an early copy in return for an honest review.

Admittedly my favorite era of historical fiction is WWII but I appreciated the different approach of The Berlin Girl. Rather than focus on the events from 1940-1945, like many books in this genre, Robotham set the stage for the start of the war with a look at Berlin in 1938 and 1939. I was enthralled and read the book in less than 24 hours. The story of Georgie, Max, Rubin, Sara was well-written and I felt like I was write there in Berlin with the press pack.

Poignant, heartbreaking and beautiful, The Berlin Girl is a historical fiction but it feels the events really could have happened just before WWII Germany. Dates at the beginnings of chapters give a timeline to follow.

Georgie Young, an intrepid young correspondent from London, accepts an assignment to Berlin. As soon as she arrives she senses an almost eerie state of calm and order in the streets, red flags flapping in the breeze. But the calm exterior is a front for something far more sinister and evil as she quickly discovers. Filled with compassion she wants to help Jewish people but is told to not get involved.

Max Spender, another correspondent from London with more international experience, is quick to see through Hitler propaganda as well. He and Georgie pair up to seek truths but it's difficult as not everyone is who and what they seem. Personal missions grow well beyond reporting.

Berlin is the epicenter of excitement, both good (Cosmopolitan) and bad, mostly the latter. The Jews are treated deplorably and Georgie and Max are desperate to help. As British foreigners they are better tolerated at first so they use that to their advantage. Along the way they form deep friendships with others. Meanwhile, Georgie continues to write her column on the human side of the war for the newspaper in England to create awareness.

So much to love here...it's so easy to become lost in and impossible to put down (I walked around the house with it glued to my hand). Characters and events are believable and have depth. The subplots are equally fascinating, twisting and turning to the very last page. The newspaper articles are brilliant!

If I had to sum this book up in five words they would be heartbreaking, enchanting, bittersweet, lovely and riveting. I wanted to laugh with them and cry with them.

A very easy 5/5 for me.

My sincere thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this enthralling book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.

'The Berlin Girl' was another brilliant historical read from one of my favourite authors. Georgie is another fierce heroine and you're completely immersed in her journey throughout the novel.

The setting is also brought to life brilliantly, evocative and harrowing this author clearly does a lot of research to ensure the reader is completely lost in the world she's building around you.

An easy 5/5 start and an author who will continue to be on my 'must read' list. A fantastic book that I highly recommend to any historical fiction fans.

Brilliant. I read this book in one sitting. I had to know what happened to Georgie and Max. Pre War Germany was a fascinating topic to read about. It was intriguing to read what Berlin was like in the build up to World War 2. This is a story about bravery and love through this tremulous period in history.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

The Berlin Girl
by Mandy Robotham
Avon Books UK
Avon
General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction | Romance
Pub Date 29 Oct 2020 | Archive Date Not set

I enjoyed this book much more than I anticipated. I have read her other books and this is one is oh so much better.! Thank you Avon Books and NetGalley for providing the ARC of this book. I will recommend it to our patrons who love to read WW2 novels. This will be a great addition to our collection.

5 stars